1.

THE JOB
Despite the prolific use of SWAT in our modern times, specialized police squads have not always been as well-equipped and well-organized as they are today. From the days of Elliot Ness’ Untouchables to the counter-terrorist forces of today’s hostage rescue teams, SWAT has evolved into a highly structured, well-trained, and elite organization.

The Evolution of SWAT
The earliest special police squads were often little more than aggressive and independent officers that banded together to deal with increasingly dangerous threats using whatever methods they could find. Strongarm and Gunman Squads In the latter part of the 19th Century, in an effort to deal with increasing crime, New York City formed officers into small groups called “strongarm squads.” These squads, armed only with billyclubs, were tasked with anti-crime and crime suppression activities, and received special training in teamwork and tactics. By the 1920s, law enforcement agencies faced a new threat – organized crime. Prohibition-era gangsters carried dangerous weapons (including the ubiquitous “Tommy Gun”), and billyclub-wielding cops were no longer sufficient. In 1925, the New York Police Department formed the Emergency Services Unit (ESU). Part of the ESU included the elite Firearms Battalion (FB) – colloquially called the “machine-gun squad” or “gunman squad” – a specialized group of officers armed with handguns, shotguns, rifles, and submachine-guns. The FB patrolled NYC in green trucks, targeting gangs and gang-related crimes. They became the Mobile Security Unit (MSU) in the late 1940s, and formed the Stakeout Squad in the 60s. The Stakeout Squad received automatic weapons and counter-terrorist training in the 1970s, and the entire MSU was reintegrated into ESU in the 1980s. Today, New York’s ESU is responsible for all of NYC’s SWAT operations (see Emergency Services Unit, p. 00). The National Guard Throughout the turbulent 1960s, police agencies around the world were facing civil unrest and the growing threat of terrorism. Some countries used military force when

available. Others formed national paramilitary police units. The U.S. relied on the National Guard. In especially dangerous or uncontrolled situations, local law enforcement commanders had to decide whether to request support from the Guard – a decision similar to the ones made by today’s police before calling in SWAT. Unfortunately, Guardsmen – though trained to protect the country in times of war – were relatively unskilled in police tactics, often resulting in less-than-ideal incident resolutions.

LAPD TAKES THE LEAD
In 1967, the Los Angeles Police Department began adopting military tactics and equipment to deal with this new urban warfare. Officers with military experience and a detachment of local Marines trained and advised the department, developing a doctrine for applying military tactics and weapons to civil situations. By the end of the year, LAPD had formed D-Platoon, a third Metro division. D-Platoon LAPD’s Daryl Gates suggested that D-Platoon be given an easily recognizable name. At that time, SWAT was to stand for Special Weapons Attack Team – a name that was rejected by his superiors. Gates and D-Platoon soon modified the name, and the first SWAT team – Special Weapons and Tactics – was born. Originally formed primarily as a counter-sniper unit, SWAT was soon called upon to deal with hostage rescues, barricaded suspects, and more (see Duties, p. 00). The first full-scale operation occurred in 1969 against the Black Panthers. The Black Panthers When a pair of Black Panthers (a well-armed black rights lobby) threatened to kill a police officer in December 1969, arrest warrants were issued. The Panthers occupied a heavily fortified building on South Central Avenue, and they were known to be well armed and willing to kill. SWAT was tasked with delivering the warrants, and deployed forty officers at a nearby building on December 8 at 5:00 a.m. When the team attempted to serve the warrants, the Panthers opened fire with a score of weapons, including a dozen rifles, five shotguns, and even a Thompson submachine gun. Three SWAT members were hit and extracted, and a gun battle ensued that lasted for hours. The SWAT team tried to requisition an M79 grenade launcher to breach the fortified building, but before the weapon arrived – after a half-day siege – the Black Panthers surrendered and LAPD SWAT had its first of many victories.

The Symbionese Liberation Army In May 1974, the team faced one of the most famous SWAT incidents in U.S. history. The Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) was a paramilitary group responsible for numerous robberies and murders (including one using a cyanide-tipped bullet), as well as the kidnapping of heiress Patty Hearst who was eventually converted to their cause. LAPD deployed over a hundred patrolmen and twenty-five SWAT officers, then used a bullhorn to demand that the SLA surrender. They fired tear gas into the house, and were rewarded with machine-gun fire from a .30-06 Browning BAR (p. HT118). The subsequent gun battle lasted for nearly an hour, until the front of the building erupted into flame. The entire building was involved in less than a minute, but EMS personnel and firefighters could not respond, because the SLA continued firing automatic weapons even as the building burned to the ground. In only ten minutes, the firing had stopped and the building collapsed. There were no survivors.

THE PROLIFERATION OF SWAT
Police departments around the US soon began to develop special teams like Los Angeles SWAT. Many used D-Platoon’s organization and doctrine as a basis for forming their own teams; some even cross-trained with LAPD and initially adopted their operating procedures wholesale. Today, literally thousands of tactical teams exist worldwide. They use different names (see box, p. 00), and specific tactics may vary, but their mission remains the same – the application of specialized equipment and tactics to resolve unusually dangerous criminal incidents.

Organization
Team structure and organization varies widely. SWAT personnel are drawn from the ranks of the police department and must meet rigid selection criteria and psychological testing. A posting to the SWAT team is highly sought after, and there are far more applicants than openings (see Officer Selection Guidelines , p. 00). SWAT teams are typically organized on a pyramid-style structure with a single commander at the top (usually a captain). The SWAT commander generally responds with his team and often acts as incident commander (p. 00). Beneath the primary SWAT commander are one or more teams, each directed by a team leader (a lieutenant). The team leader may command one or two teams, each of which is broken

down further into two-man elements (p. 00). The exact number of men on a team, and the number of individual teams, varies widely.

METROPOLITAN SWAT
Large metropolitan areas, especially those with heavy gang influences, often have a dedicated, full-time SWAT team (e.g., Dallas, Los Angeles, San Jose, Miami, New York). The teams are still relatively small (LAPD SWAT maintains less than 70 fulltime officers, many other cities have half that). Most departments allow – or require – that the officer’s tactical gear be with him at all times in order to speed response time. Some departments allow their officers to carry extra tactical gear, which can be shared with other SWAT officers as needed. Although he may carry a sidearm, most of SWAT’s heavy firepower is kept under lock and key (e.g., a shotgun locked between the seats, an MP5 and body armor locked in the trunk). Full-time metropolitan SWAT teams get plenty of work. Most will engage in operations on at least a weekly basis; LAPD SWAT receives a callout almost daily. See pp. 00-00 for some sample metropolitan SWAT teams.

SMALL TOWN SWAT
The majority of SWAT teams in the United States function in small or average sized towns. In most cases, a full-time team is neither necessary nor practical. Therefore, most teams are composed of regular patrol officers that have received special training; they perform their regular duties until a SWAT call up (see Between Missions, p. 00). Part-time SWAT officers are usually on 24-hour call, and carry a cell phone, radio, or pager. In most departments, a SWAT officer is considered on-call unless special arrangements are made (e.g., for trips out of state, hospital stays, etc). A typical small-town team might have a dozen officers commanded by a Captain. Such a team might comprise two entry teams of four men each, a pair of sniper/ observer teams, and a negotiator or two. Small town SWAT teams will generally be called up infrequently, with weeks or even months passing between callouts. Training and Equipment Due to budget limitations, smaller police departments often cannot afford the latest and greatest in equipment, meaning SWAT officers will often be using solid, but less-

than-cutting-edge gear. SWAT sometimes receives costly gear at the expense of the rest of the department, which may engender some hard feelings in non-SWAT officers. Part-time SWAT teams train regularly; the actual schedule and type of training varies widely from department to department. Some receive little more than a day or two a month at the shooting range, while others train weekly in a kill house (p. 00) or cross-train with other, larger teams (e.g., California teams may be able to spend a week cross-training with LAPD’s SWAT, using their facilities). See also Training, p. 00.

FEDERAL SWAT
The U.S. government has a number of federal tactical teams, which operate in a similar manner to municipal SWAT. But federal teams differ in both the scope of their missions and in their jurisdiction. Federal teams are generally larger than local teams, but because they cover a much wider territory, they cannot always bring a large number of officers to bear. Still, deliberate actions (p. 00) may involve hundred of SWAT officers, if enough time is available. In addition, local SWAT officers generally leave the investigations to detectives in the appropriate division (e.g., robbery/homicide), whereas federal agents may be able to run their own investigations, thereby expanding the scope of the SWAT campaign to include detailed investigations punctuated by fast action and deadly combat. Sample federal tactical teams include the ATF Special Response Team (p. 00), the FBI Hostage Rescue Team (p. 00), the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit and REACT teams, the U.S. Department of Energy Special Reaction Teams, the U.S. Marshals Service Special Operations Group (p. 00), and even the U.S. Mint Police Special Response Team and the National Park Service Special Events Team! (((START BOX)))

PRIVATE SWAT
Specially trained teams of security personnel are a staple of modern fiction, and are especially appropriate for a GURPS Cyberpunk crossover campaign (p. 00).

(((END BOX)))
JURISDICTION
SWAT teams may be called upon to cover a very large geographic area. GMs should keep in mind that a SWAT commander is often willing to let someone else do dangerous assaults.g. however. but GMs should especially refer to Chapters 2 and 4 for suggestions on tactics and equipment. to minimize response time from the assisting team. the town’s SWAT team will have jurisdiction of 10.Corporations with sufficient clout may maintain a SWAT-like team whose assignments can range from corporate security and counter-intelligence to industrial espionage and assassination. regardless of the physical location of the incident. Private teams would be free from the constraints of modern-day police regulations.000 square miles or more! Small SWAT teams may be able to call in support from nearby teams in the event of an especially difficult or messy tactical operation (e. they may be able to cover nearby rural areas. Generally speaking. A warrant issued by the metropolitan police department – on the same house – will be served by the city team. thereby keeping his team safe. large paramilitary operations. maritime takedowns.g. but might still be called upon to answer to the authorities for their actions. If a county team is available. For example. Usually such an arrangement is worked out ahead of time. a search warrant for a suburban home that is issued by the county sheriff’s department will generally be served by the county’s tactical team. SWAT operations are undertaken by the team whose agency is executing the mission. Detailed coverage of private and corporate SWAT teams is beyond the scope of this book. the movie Robocop).. In other cases. Private security companies may provide teams-for-hire that respond to civilian incidents or compete with other police teams in an odd mix of cops versus corporations (e. extended sieges). GURPS Modern Firepower and GURPS Special Ops can also provide fodder for such a campaign..
.

but working on anticrime operations. Most SWAT teams – especially part-time teams – do not have their own CQB house. triage.
Duties
Until the 1970s. Other training. etc (see Specialized Training. and movement drills take up most of that time. 00). This will help players to get accustomed to SWAT tactics. Justice Department recommends that tactical teams spend 25% of their time training. for the most part. Some kill houses include a catwalk superstructure. nearby teams. such as climbing and rappelling. stacks of discarded tires are often used to form thick walls (called a “tire house”). sniping and observation. GMs can make good use of a CQB house (and training in general) by running one or more adventures centered on such training. Specialized training may be available. or monthly drills. is both proactive and reactive. CQB Houses One of the most famous tools in SWAT training is the CQB house (often called a “kill house”). SWAT. weekly.Training
The U. dealing not only with crimes in progress. is done more infrequently. allowing SWAT officers to learn hostage negotiation. CQB tactics. For live-fire exercises. or live ammo. allowing training officers to oversee simulated combat sessions. (((START BOX)))
. reactive units. Most full-time teams spend closer to 30-40%. usually depending on the department’s size and budget. or steel and Kevlar may be sandwiched between wooden walls. actively looking for trouble before trouble finds them. part-time teams usually spend less. and can provide plenty of opportunities for roleplay. Kill house training can be done with paintball guns. The size and style of construction varies widely. pre-mounted videos cameras are often used as well.S. but usually make arrangements to share training facilities of larger. Foreign teams fall in approximately the same range. with daily. dye marker ammunition. Many are made from plywood and feature paper targets (pictures of suspects and hostages) stapled into place. however. waiting until a crime had been committed before dealing with it. police departments were. p. Weapons handling.

During the 1997 North Hollywood Shootout. Crisis situations should end in the arrest – not the death – of any suspects. SWAT begins the incident as a reactionary force. three SWAT officers entered the Bank of America dressed in nothing more than street clothes. and attempt to resolve the situation (see Game Mechanics for Room Clearing. without resorting to deadly force unless absolutely necessary. At times. when an emergency action persists – such as during a drawn-out hostage situation – SWAT may have sufficient time to plan and even rehearse. hostage situations. for example. and all SWAT officers must be ready to act on a moment’s notice. ballistic vests. giving them the edge in the subsequent assault. and the like. SWAT officers are law enforcement personnel. but especially deadly force. and the GM should not hesitate to dole out appropriate in-game discipline for characters that insist on pushing the limits. Deliberate Action A deliberate action is proactive. barricaded suspects. and sites can be surveilled for days or weeks. NOT SOLDIERS
Despite their unusual tactics and equipment. Deliberate actions can be rehearsed. however. it is an action that SWAT has time to plan and execute on its own timetable. See GURPS Cops for detailed information on proper police procedure. and helmets. He must identify threats. 00). They are under the same restrictions as “regular” cops. (((END BOX))) Emergency Action Emergency actions include responding to bank robberies. The goal of any SWAT operation is peaceful resolution whenever possible. p. blueprints acquired. a deliberate action
. They follow strict guidelines that dictate when and how to apply force of any kind. Some emergency actions provide almost no leeway for SWAT to prepare. making SWAT operations especially difficult for the individual officer. order compliance. and allowing them to act proactively and not reactively. However.COPS. not soldiers. In emergency actions.

and was allowed to land in Jacksonville. The pilot requested a fuel truck. FBI agents were dispatched to the Jacksonville airport. 1971.” He added. The court also warned that law enforcement personnel are “required to exercise the highest degree of care commensurate with all the facts within
. and the hijacker dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Tennessee. One of the hijackers himself left the plane to negotiate. The agent in charge dismissed the copilot’s comments out of hand. After only minutes of negotiation – through the pilot. but the FBI agent in charged refused. and then ordered his agents to fire on the plane’s engines. He was not even interrogated. and when the agents finally entered the aircraft. The FBI paid $60. they found the pilot and a passenger shot to death. The plane did not have enough fuel to reach the Bahamas. Several gunshots rang out inside the plane. the only alternative is to depart the aircraft. the murdered pilot’s widow.must be undertaken quickly (e. and might force the fuel-starved plane to fly to the Bahamas anyway. sued the FBI for negligence and was awarded $270. The agent in charge himself fired several rounds at the tires. the plane was surrounded by FBI agents who tried to shoot out the plane’s tires. no less – he radioed the plane with this ultimatum: “The decision will be no fuel for that aircraft. Downs v.” The copilot was sent out by the hijackers to negotiate for fuel.000. United States of America Brent Downs. (((START BOX)))
JACKSONVILLE HIJACKING
On October 4. to take down a criminal while he is at a certain location).g. The most common deliberate action is high-risk warrant service. He told the FBI that he believed the hijackers were violent.000 in damages for shooting up an engine. After only fifteen minutes on the ground. two men hijacked an airliner en route from Nashville. stating that the hijackers had guns and twelve pounds of plastic explosives. “Passengers. and ordered it flown to the Bahamas. but was immediately arrested. Florida to refuel.. if you are listening.

Warrant service may need additional. High-risk warrant service is usually planned well in advance. warrant service could be done with a knock and a badge. gather evidence. Like other “trailers” (p. and so forth. In most cases. Regardless of the type of warrant. but to the average tactical team. necessitating quick deployment with less-than-optimal planning.g. an animal handler for aggressive pets. etc). has additional information on warrant service. 00). There are various types of warrants. officers may be gunned down by automatic weapon fire before they reach the door. Suspects are described in detail. GURPS Cops. pp. specialized personnel (e. paper – the colloquial name for a warrant – is paper.” The court thus created a legal precedent involving the use of force. specialists can search the site. p 00). p. a female officer to search female suspects. and operational details are very complete.” They also ruled that such care must be exercised “in order to insure that undue loss of life does not occur. But sometimes a warrant is issued quickly and a suspect must be taken down with little advanced notice. Noknock warrants allow the SWAT team to enter the site without any prior announcement. a child services representative. No-Knock Warrants Warrant service almost always requires that the serving officer knock or ring the doorbell and identify himself before entering (called “knock and announce”). the location is closely monitored and photographed ahead of time. reducing the chances that suspects will flee or successfully dispose of
. and established guidelines for use in crisis situations (see Crisis Resolution. Today. then leave the cleanup work to someone else. 00). such personnel are generally not allowed on the premises until SWAT has declared the area safe. Once the building is safe (see Deliberate Clearing.[their] knowledge. it is SWAT’s job is to secure the building and any occupants. (((END BOX)))
HIGH-RISK WARRANT SERVICE
SWAT teams spend about 90% of their time serving high-risk warrants.. In the past. C93-94. SWAT is only tasked with securing the site and any suspects.

000-year-old ginseng root. The primary goal of a hostage rescue mission must be to ensure the safety of the hostages first and the officers second. then 1. (((START BOX)))
GOOD GUYS. True no-knock warrants are extremely rare. They were simply looking for fame and an adrenaline rush. Most federal teams are under more stringent restrictions and must not only “knock and announce. California. on April 4. most warrant service requires knockand-announce. Despite Hollywood’s portrayal of hostage situations.” but allow sufficient time for an occupant of the house to move from the furthest point in the house and answer the door!
HOSTAGE RESCUE
Statistically. Patrol officers secured the building and called in the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED). the highest percentage of casualties in a hostage situation occurs during entry. and a skilled negotiator should begin work. a no-knock can only be procured through a judge. four young Asian men invaded the Good Guys Electronics Store in Sacramento. surprise entry is required to prevent the loss of evidence or flight of a suspect. The gunmen’s demands varied widely every time they spoke to SED. no loved ones to negotiate with. making a SWAT assault the last resort in such circumstances. SACRAMENTO. Sufficient probable cause must be established to show that a sudden. They wanted $4 million in cash. Assault planning should begin immediately. and took forty people hostage. Negotiations revealed a SWAT team’s nightmare – the suspects had no grievances to settle. CALIFORNIA
Shortly after 1:30 pm. As with all warrants.evidence. SWAT teams and hostage negotiators do not trade themselves (or anyone else) for another hostage. Hostage rescues are dangerous missions for everyone involved. nor will they allow a hostage to return to captivity once released. The safety of the hostage-taker should be taken into account. One of them even wanted to fly to Southeast
. but it is the lowest priority of the mission. 1991. then a helicopter big enough to carry all 40 hostages. in the event such an action is necessary. no serious demands. The site must first be secured.

After an initial moment of shock. When one of the suspects opened the front door. and the assault team was to follow up immediately. The team drilled a tiny hole in a dividing wall and inserted a pinhole camera (p. They removed ceiling panels. The entry team stormed the showroom. key witnesses in court cases. Snipers and patrol officers in the front of the store withheld fire for fear of hitting hostages or SWAT members.
. and the sniper bullet struck the metal frame instead of the suspect. 00). unaware of the SED team’s presence. seven SED officers crept into a nearby fabric store and down a maintenance corridor that connected to the back of Good Guys. Three hostages had been killed by the gunmen. As negotiations progressed. A second suspect.Asia to fight the Viet Cong. a SED sniper fired. CO00). the gunman let the door fall shut at that precise moment. and dropped unnoticed into the Good Guys’ storeroom where they waited patiently for a “go order. firing at the hostages. In a quirk of fate. climbed over the wall. ran directly into their hail of bullets and was killed. sending them out to talk to the media as a “message to the press. The SED team spotted the shotgun-wielding suspect and exchanged fire – the suspect’s shot went wide. Eventually they demanded bulletproof vests. and left three suspects dead and one critically wounded. The entire assault lasted only seconds. while the gunmen continued to walk back and forth. The officers may be uniformed or undercover. and so forth. the SED team killed him. depending on the message the team wants to send any would-be threats. (((END BOX)))
DIGNITARY PROTECTION
SWAT is sometimes assigned to protect foreign VIPs. They moved to engage the last two suspects. and shot them both as well.” The incident commander gave the snipers orders to take any shot of opportunity (p. which SED began trading for hostages. high-profile criminals during transit.” The suspects shot two hostages in the legs. the gunman turned to the line of hostages and opened fire with his shotgun. eleven were wounded.

regardless of the responding
. armed resistance. and so forth (see also Tactical Retreat. Unfortunately. forcing the entry team to action sooner than may be prudent. the dynamics of the situation change when the suspect attempts to flee. and that there are sufficient officers on the inner perimeter (p. Breakouts No matter how long SWAT has been waiting. Presidential protection is usually provided by the Secret Service. embassies. p. making time one of the SWAT team’s most valuable tools.
BARRICADED SUSPECTS
Barricaded suspects are suspects that refuse to leave their premises. nonlethal means are ineffective. 00). Practically speaking. blaring loud music non-stop. The ground team may also travel in a convoy with the dignitary. courthouses. a negotiator might only be given 30-60 minutes to talk down a suspect before the entry team makes their move. An assault should be called only as a last resort. launching tear gas into the house. and residences. only to have the front door open and a suspect charge out. More than one entry team has been caught by surprise as they moved quietly toward a building. budgetary constraints often demand a more rapid resolution to the problem. Other arsenals in the waiting game include the removal of utilities from the suspect’s house. and snipers may be stationed along the route as well. 00) to defend against an attempted breakout by a barricaded suspect.Coverage must be provided at the start and finish of any vehicular routes. The best method for dealing with a barricaded suspect is to establish negotiations and wait him out. physical barricades. “Suicide by Cop” Emotionally disturbed suspects may attempt what is commonly called “suicide by cop. however. usually after a warrant of some kind has been issued. the earliest parts of the incident are the most volatile.” This can occur during almost any police incident. The incident commander must make certain that a tight perimeter is set up around an incident. Typical coverage sites include airports. As in the case of hostage situations. and only when it is clear that other. and so forth. What may begin as a high-risk warrant service can quickly become a barricaded suspect situation if the serving team (or officer) encounters gunfire. but local SWAT teams may assist.

should a pursuit ensue.
BETWEEN-MISSIONS
Part-time SWAT officers will generally be busy with day-to-day police duties when not on an active SWAT mission. 00). burst out the front door firing or brandishing their weapon. Undercover Work Prior to deliberate actions (p. hoping to be killed by the surrounding officers. Generally.
. but occasionally hostage situations develop aboard vehicles ranging from passenger cars to jumbo jets. The situation is treated much like any hostage rescue (p. GMs running a GURPS Cops campaign. 00. Barricaded suspects will often fire shots from within their home to attract attention. 00) working together both in crime suppression and as a two-man assault team during SWAT callouts. roads can be blocked. Planes may be refused fuel. SWAT officers may be tasked with surveillance of proposed assault sites. C100). p. C128 for suggestions on running such a campaign). a lone hijacker can be neutralized with tear gas or a sniper shot. photographing the building from all angles. should have no trouble keeping the players busy between SWAT missions (see p. 00 and p. 00). but important part of SWAT operations. question informants. or monitor the site from a distance (see Stakeouts. but the incident site must be strictly contained to prevent the target and hostages from going mobile. Vehicles delivered as part of a hostage negotiation may be altered ahead of time.
HIJACKINGS AND MOBILE THREATS
Vehicle assaults (p. But even full-time team members may go several days without a call-out. then once they are surrounded. 00) form a small. Such operations are almost always carried out in pairs. Usually a pair of men in plainclothes and an unmarked car will drive by. tires shot out. Even simply smashing a tail-light may aid in identifying and tracking the vehicle later. with “buddy teams” (p. small explosives can be placed near the tires. making a subsequent rescue easier and safer. with part-time SWAT PCs. 00). etc.officer or team. or just ride along with patrol officers to lend extra support. Officers may also work undercover during dignitary protection duty (p. Crime Suppression SWAT officers may be assigned to work “anti-crime” or “tactical patrol” missions between callouts. More information on vehicular takedowns appears on p. The engine may have a radio-controlled kill-switch. They may monitor known criminals. stake out buildings.

part-time team is included as well. Though such teams are collectively called “SWAT” teams in GURPS SWAT. Weapon choices represent a cross-section of the teams’ most commonly used firearms as of 2003. Weapons not found in this book are described in GURPS Cops.S. but the lists are neither exclusive nor complete. Team. Emergency. GURPS High-Tech. full-time teams are detailed below. and the like. and can be used as-is or as a template for creating a similar team. Squad. And the sheer number of SWAT teams in the United States alone prohibits a detailed look at each one. structure. Most revolve around acronyms built on words like Special. most of them acronyms. or GURPS Special Ops.S. equipment preference. A small. Rescue.
Three large. Response. Los Angeles. GMs can research actual team names for specific cities. composition. Unit. Crisis.
TEAMS IN THE U. What follows is a sampling of teams from across the U. Group. or make up an acronym that sounds authentic by mixing and matching such terms. A consolidated table of weapon statistics appears on p. Tactics. and training levels make it impossible to provide a rigid set of rules that would cover every SWAT team in the country. or use the information as a broad guideline to fleshing out a metropolitan SWAT team of his own design. a staggering number of team names is available. California – Special Weapons and Tactics The Los Angeles Police Department is generally considered to be the originator of
. budget.(((START BOX)))
SWAT BY ANY OTHER NAME
Special police teams around the world use a variety of monikers. The GM may drop the details wholesale into his campaign. GURPS Modern Firepower. (((END BOX)))
Teams Around the World
Variations in team size. 00. Tactical.

More than one perimeter is usually established. Intelligence can be gathered ahead of time. but eventually much of the job will be turned over to SWAT personnel when they arrive. Not only is taking down a vehicle more difficult and dangerous. 00). the first 30 minutes are the most dangerous. see pp. when the team has plenty of time to train. negotiators establish rapport – all this and more is detailed in this chapter. But many operations occur suddenly and with little preparation. In emergency actions. Initial responders – usually regular police – should try to slow things down until the SWAT team and a negotiator arrives. since the suspect is the most anxious and ready to act. law enforcement personnel must establish a perimeter around the site. assault plans are laid. but there is a chance the target may elude police and escape altogether. For deliberate actions (p. the more likely it is to end peacefully. 00). Containment Safely capturing a suspect – especially if he has taken hostages – becomes much more difficult if he becomes mobile.2. Statistically.
. Snipers are put in place. In the meantime. 00-00. techniques can be rehearsed.
Preparations
Preparing for an assault can take on many forms. Tactical assault guidelines appear in Chapter 3. plans may be available.
PERIMETERS
Whether an incident is planned weeks ahead of time or occurs spontaneously. guns blazing. For information on types of SWAT missions. and the team leader can request follow-up information as needed. Patrol officers may establish an initial perimeter if they are first on the scene. SWAT OPERATIONS
Tactical teams go through many steps before bursting through the doors. the longer an incident lasts. the first step in any crisis situation is containment. but the goal is always the same: keep suspects in and bystanders out. and a mock-up may even be constructed (p.

and reporting the information to the Command Post. Inner perimeter officers are tasked with observing the suspect and incident site. and yet far enough away to provide cover or concealment for those guarding it. or to lay down cover or diversionary fire during the entry team’s approach. some teams have a special “perimeter team” made up of SWAT officers for this sole purpose. The IP is usually the site of last cover and concealment (LCC. Officers may take cover in doorways. 00). enter a vehicle. where local street thugs can use cell phones to warn their friends. 00). the containment perimeter may be established at the same time the entry team deploys – suddenly and with little warning – minimizing the risk of the targets bolting before the team arrives. especially if the suspect is actively firing weapons or otherwise endangering the lives of those in the vicinity. the initial perimeter is usually established by the initially responding police officers. They should be replaced or assisted by SWAT personnel as soon as possible. They should be able to see all exits from the building. including windows. Officers guarding the IP do not
. behind trees. or even in nearby buildings. due to the distances usually involved in firing at an incident site. The inner perimeter should be close enough to the incident site for the site to be visible. 00). SWAT officers will man the IP whenever possible. They must also contain the scene even after the incident is resolved. containing the scene is an early priority. see p. and is often the final staging area for the SWAT entry team. the IP must be close enough to the incident site for the officers to visually monitor the situation. behind retaining walls. Inner perimeter duty can be dangerous. In a high-traffic neighborhood.Therefore. Knowing what caliber weapon the suspect is using will help in determining how much cover – and how much distance – is needed to provide safety for the IP officers. Inner Perimeter The inner perimeter (IP) is the first line of containment. Nevertheless. or simply rush toward the police in a “suicide by cop” attempt (p. necessitating a high level of training and skill. a containment perimeter may be established ahead of time if it can be done quietly and without notice. They are also the first line of defense should the suspect break out by attempting to flee. IP officers may be called upon to deploy tear gas or smoke. During emergency actions (p. 00). In a deliberate action (p. The team will usually be armed with rifles (instead of pistols or submachine guns). in order to preserve the site for crime scene technicians.

(((START BOX)))
. rescue workers. EMTs.. and listen closely for any changes in information. The area between the inner and outer perimeters should be used exclusively by incident personnel. and advised of all details of the operation (including hostages. 00) is usually set up there. C45) may be assigned to IP duty. they must immediately report any changes they themselves witness. In smaller police departments. they should be briefed with the suspect’s psych profile (p. Perimeter officers must be fully briefed.. rather than SWAT personnel. Under no circumstances should an OP officer allow anyone beyond his post without permission from the incident commander. OP personnel function as a backup perimeter for the incident. Until they’re relieved or ordered to do so.act as entry personnel. regular officers (p. 00). forensics investigators. Like the entry team. suspect armament. Once the entry team is inside. Outer Perimeter A secondary ring. Likewise. as is the entry team’s staging area. Personnel on the OP are tasked with keeping anyone from entering the area – this includes curiosity seekers. they must continue to contain the site while the entry team assaults the building. etc). an officer or hostage’s life is visibly in danger). reporters and cameramen. Any of the templates and specializations found in Chapter 3 can be used to represent SWAT officers assigned to the inner perimeter. providing a wider ring of containment in case someone slips through the IP.g. They must always practice good radio discipline. called the outer perimeter (OP) is formed at a much greater distance from the incident site. with limited SWAT resources. IP personnel should be prohibited from firing their weapons into the site unless absolutely necessary (e. no IP personnel should leave their position.g. and must know the position of friendly personnel so as to set up effective fields of fire without endangering fellow officers. In addition. distraught relatives. etc). and even non-essential emergency workers (e. The command post (p. firemen. even in large police departments. This second containment ring is usually manned by patrol officers.

especially those involving hostages.
. can a commander (or individual officer) skip the preliminary steps and proceed directly to Step 4 or 5. with the snipers supporting (or signaling) a dynamic entry. Use tear gas (or other non-lethal weapons) to force the suspect to surrender. a remodeled motor home. Only when there is imminent threat of death or serious injury to a civilian or officer. Demand that the suspect surrender. the incident commander (p. truck. 5. van. Use of deadly force in Step 4 is usually limited to cases where lives are threatened. unless someone’s life is in imminent danger.
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THE COMMAND POST
One of the first steps in taking control of an incident is to set up a command post (CP). Steps 4 and 5 are often undertaken simultaneously. A set of guidelines was established in the Downs v. Those guidelines can be distilled down to the following basic steps: 1. Before the entry team is called in for a takedown. 00). Order a SWAT assault. An incident commander should start with Step 1 and work his way toward higher levels of force. escalating only when initial steps fail. 3. 00) should try every non-lethal resolution technique at his disposal. This may be a commandeered room in a nearby building or an entire mobile command post dedicated to the SWAT unit (e.g. 2. 4.CRISIS RESOLUTION
SWAT teams follow specific guidelines when dealing with emergency situations. United States court case in 1974 (see box. or trailer). p.. Use snipers to neutralize the suspect. Contain the suspect and negotiate surrender.

suspect accomplices. distraught relatives. and toilet facilities). negotiation tactics. but in a rural setting a makeshift CP may be established outdoors. Incident Command Critical police situations require both tactical and strategic decisions. a hostage negotiator. Nearby buildings can be used. a suitable location must be chosen. but far enough away to provide a measure of safety for the CP occupants. and choose additional personnel and/or equipment as needed. The CP should be close enough to the action that the incident commander (and others) can personally inspect the situation and stay in contact with on-site officers.The CP is where most of the incident decisions are made. The post should be available to authorized personnel only. While the assault team may be responsible for split-second tactical choices. The media (and public in general) should be kept clear of the post in order to keep them from divulging important information that could easily be picked up by the suspect (see The Media. emergency medical or fire representatives. Location If the police department does not have a mobile command post. The incident commander (see below) mans the CP and makes strategic decisions regarding snipers. food. but they should only be allowed entry with the incident commander’s permission. and so forth. including the SWAT team leader. water. Media representatives. and close to the SWAT team’s staging area (CP personnel and SWAT personnel should be able to communicate face-to-face without a dangerous or lengthy transit). bathroom facilities. p. Command post personnel are responsible for logistics of the operation. He must also know when
. and others. but should make the important decisions himself. 00). The incident commander (IC) must get an overview of the situation. a public relations officer. The CP will generally be established between the inner and outer perimeters (p. overall guidance of a SWAT incident is handled by a ranking police office (such as a Captain). He may delegate mundane tasks (such as arranging for food. etc. He will assembly a staff of assistants and advisors. and any other necessary personnel. sometimes necessitating basic operational security in and around the CP (usually handled by one or more patrol officers). assault teams. and must secure SWAT equipment. 00). items demanded by a hostage-taker. may try to gain access.

photocopiers. Command Post Equipment Administrative equipment should available to keep information organized and make resolution of an incident easier. The CP will usually have wall space dedicated to whiteboards. dedicated phone lines and a computer link to the police mainframe and Internet are usually established. unless he has specifically delegated such authority to the team leader. tactical command must necessarily shift to the entry team leader. use of gas or flash-bangs. radios. the location (both inside and outside the incident site)..
. 00). telephones. Support Staff Support staff may include public relations officers. Split-second decisions (about use of force. psychologists. p. and become the responsibility of the team leader (see Element Leader. tactical decisions are made by the incident commander. etc) must be made on the fly. Computers. Likewise. support staff may be called upon to do more than one job at a time. Once a SWAT entry is actually underway. however. changes from stealth to dynamic posture. etc. Information must be gathered on suspects. room clearing. and similar electronic equipment are common. sniper support. hostages. Tactical Command Prior to entry. Even during entry.to call in additional – more powerful – forces such as state or federal police or military units. usually in conjunction with the SWAT team leader and/or SWAT officers. blackboards. entry style. logistics coordinators. and/or bulletin boards to keep up-to-date information handy for everyone. however. command-level decisions (e.g. The size of the staff will vary with both the size of the police department and the magnitude of the operation. communications personnel. This includes choices regarding entry points.
Gathering Intelligence
The success or failure of a SWAT operation can hinge directly on the intelligence available to both hostage negotiator and entry team. Support staff may be composed of both police officers and civilians. giving a go-order for snipers) must still be made by the incident commander. In smaller police departments. scanners. additional gas or flash-bang grenades. printers. etc. and more.

prescription or non-prescription drug use. propensity toward violence. Such information should include an overview of the situation. hobbies and interests. family members. and negotiators as needed. and ample room at the bottom for the negotiator (or others) to add notes as the incident progresses. education. Intel may be gathered from many different sources. employment (type and current employer). alcohol or drug abuse history. how many suspects and/or hostages are involved. Profile Sheets Most police departments use some kind of standardized form for listing suspect information. close friends and associates. eyes. relevance of today’s date (if any). race. etc). The GM should create the sheet to his satisfaction. leaving blank areas to be filled in by hand (either by the GM functioning as an NPC. snipers.. affiliation with gangs or extremist groups. indicating the general premise of the incident (e. medical condition and history. height. sex. who they are. but the team’s negotiator may find the info useful. criminal record. SWAT teams will have a similar form for hostages as well (the two forms should be printed on two different colored sheets of paper to make them easier to identify).Information must be up-to-date and accurate. GMs may wish to create such a form using a simple word processing program. For hostage profiles. The form should include space for relevant information. the fact that a hostage-taker likes a certain type of food will be of little help to an assaulter. if any). Officers on the scene should be briefed with basic information about the incident as soon as possible. existence of weapons and/or body armor. current residence.g. Its relevance must be determined. or by the players as they gather info). whether the hostage was taken randomly or was
. but general suggestions follow. clothing. but should immediately be forwarded to an information specialist (or specialists) to be collated and refined. who the leader is. a bank robbery. and must be passed quickly to team members that need it. psychiatric history. and a profile sheet for every person involved. and then the information must be passed on to SWAT officers. marital status (the form should note the date of the suspect’s divorce. a list of demands. Suspect Profile Sheet – Name. weight. a barricaded suspect. age. For example. military or police experience (especially expertise with weapons or knowledge of explosives and booby-traps). hair. additional information may include the circumstances under which the hostage was taken.

plans. and barricaded or booby-trapped entries. They are. allowing the incident commander to gather and filter information. but occasionally firemen or paramedics). however. and overheard conversations. He can often provide physical descriptions of suspects and hostages. or after the SWAT debrief. explosives. Questioning Hostages Hostages are in a unique position to provide information about a suspect or a situation. They can provide information on suspect and hostage location. They should be checked by medical personnel for injury and overall health and psychological trauma.g. The information may not be 100% accurate. Observation teams report to the command post. types of weapons involved. The hostage negotiator may attempt to talk to one or more hostages during negotiations. much of the basic information can be gathered from the first responders to an incident (usually police. and prone to making erroneous statements. Hostages can provide information such as suspect number..specifically targeted. but such an exam may be conducted before. They can also describe weaponry. and an impression of the suspect’s demeanor. Some may even be able to relay entire conversations if they are adept at lip-reading. often confused and frightened.
THE INCIDENT SITE
Incident locations must be carefully surveyed A sketch of the interior of a building
. during. physical activities. physical descriptions. and the relationship of the hostage to any other hostage members. and questioned thoroughly in order to glean additional details. and may be able to coax bits of information from them via telephone. mental state. The first officer on a scene should be debriefed as soon as possible to determine the overall situation. body armor. Hostages released from captivity should be isolated and debriefed. snipers and observers become an invaluable source of information. Observation Teams Once a perimeter has been established and the incident is contained. relationship to the suspect (if any). but even general information (e. position. The sniper should also connect with the entry team in order to provide immediate information as they breach the perimeter. description. and more. “they had big armylooking guns” or “they stacked furniture against the front door”) can be extremely valuable. First Officers on the Scene In emergency actions.

and overwhelming. or at the very least unprepared and out of position. Surprise Surprised defenders are slow defenders. For example. with each team assigned to perform a specific action at some point in the countdown. assaults may include multiple teams and snipers striking from multiple angles. In order to achieve surprise. A covert entry (p.3. If surprise is lost prematurely. violent action. shock. detonate explosives.
The Assault
When negotiation fails and snipers have no clear shot. or at the very least put up a tenacious defense. Negotiators may even be able to lure a suspect into an especially vulnerable position (such as near a window) or away from innocent hostages. Care must be taken that the element of surprise is not lost too early in an assault. WWII commandos.” On “two. Assaulting a site is the single most dangerous part of a crisis situation – 80% of all hostage and police casualties occur during entry. They may often be surprised into inactivity (see Shock . A single countdown. can facilitate a smooth entry and improve the chances of surprising the enemy. below). one sniper may be assigned to fire through plate glass to shatter it when the countdown reaches “four” while a second sniper fires at the suspect on “three. the defenders may have time to gather their wits. The GM may modify the procedures to better fit his genre and play style.
THE THREE ELEMENTS OF ASSAULT
The success of every assault hinges on three primary elements: surprise.” the assault team
. 00) may allow the team to move into position to launch the attack swiftly and suddenly (often called “stealth to contact” entry). kill hostages. They may also help the entry team gain surprise by continuing to talk to the suspect even as entry begins. or even bug-hunting space marines. CQB TACTICS
The tactics in this chapter – though written with SWAT teams in mind – can be applied to military special ops teams. it is up to the men and women of the entry teams to resolve the situation.

Each team may also be assigned a “ready number” (usually high in the count). to confirm that everyone is in position and prepared for the assault. an out-building).
. B122. Occasionally. a specific floor. Shock An enemy in shock acts poorly. 00 and C69). Violence of Action Assault teams must have the capability of dealing out sufficient deadly force to neutralize an enemy. but the targets must believe that the incoming SWAT team can win through sheer force. will force a stun roll as per p. the GM should keep in mind that several SWAT teams may be called upon to assault a single location simultaneously. In the latter case. or simply play the other teams as NPCs. on “one” door demolitions are blown. part of an airplane. An assault team bursting into a room unexpectedly. the PCs will be assigned a particular objective (e.throws in a flash-bang. faceless look of most special ops teams is calculated to create fear in an unprepared enemy.. the PCs can be called on to back up overpowered NPCs or assist them in a protracted firefight. GMs should keep the players informed of the ongoing action (and increase the suspension of disbelief) by including radio traffic or situation reports throughout the PC team’s action. while the NPC team(s) assault elsewhere. and on “zero” multiple teams swarm the site. Even the black. Whether they actually do so or not is irrelevant. his actions confused. B122).g. or a sniper suddenly taking off your buddy’s head. heavily armed SRT agents may give the defenders pause. plainclothes ATF agent bursting into the hideout of a white supremacy group is sure to be met with mocking laughter followed by gunfire. His responses are often slowed. B99). forty black-clad. Though the PCs will rarely number more than a single team. a back entry. A shocked enemy poses far less threat to an incoming assault team than one in complete control of his senses. Teams can achieve shock through speed and sudden action. The team will verify their readiness when their number is called. and nonlethal weapons like flash-bangs (pp. A single. Physical shock can be brought on by injury (p. Mental shock may be brought on by surprise (p. He may choose to allow the players to control more than one character.

they must first “stack up” – that is. Stacking As the assault team prepares to enter a site. Teams generally practice together on a regular basis in order to learn the subtle nuances of each member’s movements. Once surprise is lost. deploying grenades. number of men in the team. the LCC must be safe from enemy line-of-sight. or in the lobby of an apartment building. rally point. They may also stack up several times as they move deeper into a building. Individual departments may give the LCC an alternate name. around the corner of a nearby building. 00). launch point. officers
. but the entry team will have a secondary. voice. and so on. or using a ram or other entry gear. and can fluctuate based on a number of factors (e. and away from prying eyes (to preserve the element of surprise. any structure. Last Cover and Concealment The team will generally begin their assault as close to the suspect as safely possible. As with all SWAT operations. however. closer position to begin the actual assault. may be along a protected alley.. see p. such as a stack-up point. Even during a dynamic entry. reactions. or final assault position. which side the doorknob is on.PREPARATIONS AND STACKING
The first few moments of a SWAT assault can be the most dangerous. actions. form up point. This secondary position. Teams will always stack before beginning an assault. Stacking always precedes mirroring. intervening walls). line up and prepare to move in as a team. the team should stack at every opening. 00). During a covert entry. and stacking may not always be possible. A general staging area may be assigned. whether a door is open or not.g. The last cover and concealment sites will generally be established during the briefing. the entry team follows a set of guidelines in preparing for. These positions are generally used for both safe entry and hostage egress. They need to be safe from enemy fire. Whatever the case. direction the door opens. the team will most likely begin a dynamic assault (p. SWAT team members may be involved in selecting the locations. and entering. Team Familiarity. Teams that train or perform together for 100+ hours receive a +1 bonus to Gesture and Body Language rolls directed toward other members. often called the point of last cover and concealment (LCC). Stacking methods vary from one department to a next.

When the covering man lifts his hand from his partner. the scout will take the lead. 00). a gesture that in itself warns his partner that he is readying for action. 00).g. breathe together. optic wands). move together. enabling the team to be split when necessary to cover disparate areas or entry points. Stacked teams will often remain in silent contact. During room entry. During movement. terrain may dictate stack methods and entry techniques (see Entering and Clearing. Four-Man Teams Four-man teams will usually comprise a pair of two-man elements. One man usually acts as point man or scout (p. and takes the lead in checking doors and mirroring (p. Because he may often have to sling or holster his weapon to use other equipment (e. or dead. his partner reacts. Two-Man Elements – “Buddy Teams” This is the fundamental building block of every SWAT operations. likewise. 00 – for a total of +2 to one another). along one side of an opening (called a single stack). wounded. Characters that have trained and operated as a two-man team for 100 or more hours receive a +1 to Gesture or Body Language rolls they make toward one another (in addition to the +1 generated by team familiarity – p. Buddy teams learn to walk together. Movement as a team is generally done with the covering (rear) man resting his off hand on his partner’s shoulder. the point man often engages the threat of his choice. A single gesture from one to the other – or even a change in body stance – is often enough to convey an entire idea. his partner will cover any open sides and/or the rear.” a reciprocal squeeze of the shoulder returns the sentiment. or in two groups – one on each side of the opening. his partner – the second man in the element – must cover him at all times. 00). covering the other portion of the room automatically (see Room Clearing. with each officer laying his offhand on the shoulder of the officer ahead of him. 00). p. A nod of the point man’s head means. fired. “I’m ready to go. Various entry techniques call for various stacking methods. p.. mirrors. especially during hostile operations. A single acts
. Stacking may be done in a single line. SWAT officers almost never operate alone. it is generally to steady his weapon.who simply kick down doors or come crashing through windows without waiting for the rest of the team will inevitably end up reprimanded.

. Five-Man Teams A five-man team is commonly used by many SWAT agencies in the US. As always. his partner should cover him during such actions. a pair of four-man teams may be called on to stack along a retaining wall prior to entry. effectively creating an eight-man team. covering him as need be. only a single member will act as scout. with the additional man (who takes position in the middle of the stack) acting as team leader (p. when covering open ground quickly. As in a two-man element. at least). For example. It is structured almost exactly like a four-man team (above). The team’s fourth man doubles as the team’s rear-guard (p.g. If the team is split. 00). The team forms a single stack and moves single file. covering openings. Others will be assigned areas of responsibility (p. setting or disarming explosives. and as partner to the third man in the team. He is often also called on to dispense grenades and may act as a scout if the team splits into two pairs (and so should carry a mirror. throwing grenades.
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SNAKING AND SWARMING
Team movement is generally done in one of two ways: Snaking. the element leader will accompany one pair of the other. Snaking is best used in narrow areas (hallways). with one man following directly behind another. The third man in the team is usually charged with covering side openings and doorways. he should never function alone. Four-man teams are very common in Europe. 00). etc. 00) and be given specific duties (e. p.as scout and is responsible for mirroring and so forth (see Scouts and Point Men. The team may single stack.). or split into a group of two. Six or More Large teams are usually made up of smaller teams working in consort. or when booby-traps may be
. 00). and covering any second floors and balconies while entering a room.and three-man stacks as need be.

the point man stands exposed
. as it minimizes the visual profile of the team.
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T HE FATAL FUNNEL
One of the most dangerous moments of an entry occurs when the first officer steps through a doorway. Changes in the team’s posture are usually called for by the element leader. During the assault. For a single moment. Swarming . but that decision may be delegated to the SWAT team commander himself. Choosing an entry method falls to the incident commander. swarm movement and entry must be practiced time and again until it is second nature to the team. spreading the team out into a loose skirmish formation. especially when team members must infiltrate a building quickly. a number of entry styles may come into play. Swarming can only be used in areas with sufficient room. whenever possible. 00) – one clear of friendly targets despite the swarming movement.
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ENTRY STYLE
Entry style can be dictated by a number of factors. As always. enabling the team to move as a large group. increases the team’s ability to bring massive fire into a single location when necessary. then “go dynamic” when they encounter the suspects (“stealth to contact”). and increases forward visibility for each man. For example. Each man moves laterally as well as forward.present. visibility. the team may choose to move into position quietly. Though it may appear uncoordinated and random. the presence of hostages. every man will have a specific area of responsibility (p. and suspect disposition. Snake movement is preferred during a covert entry. Swarm entry is preferred during a dynamic entry. concealment and cover. using a covert entry. Swarming reduces the likelihood of a suspect taking out the entire team with explosives or automatic weapons. including terrain.

how elite the training. and women may be ostracized even when they prove themselves capable. The primary skills listed in the template on p. most SWAT selection procedures include extensive skill testing. depending on the team (and the GM). an officer’s skill levels – though important – are often not as important as his other. including marksmanship.4. Even on teams that readily accept women.
OFFICER SELECTION GUIDELINES
SWAT selection guidelines are strict and testing is rigorous. female characters can be created using the same template as men (p. Women who make it into SWAT must be even more determined and relentless than men. comprising less than 0. 00). Treatment by their peers can vary from respect to derision. female SWAT members are still extremely rare. most tactical gear is designed for men. it is the men and women behind the badge that make or break SWAT operations. Nevertheless. Twenty years later. and body armor to fit a woman with a small frame. web gear. more innate abilities. All SWAT positions are highly sought after. certain universal principals govern officer selection for almost every team. most female police officers fail SWAT testing during physical training.5% of the tactical officers in the U. THE OFFICERS
No matter how big the gun. Statistically. Occupational Skills Though it may seem counterintuitive.S. Women in SWAT In the early 1980s the first female SWAT officers began appearing. making it difficult to find uniforms. but GMs and players alike should bear in mind the difficulties and differences mentioned above. how modern the gear. 00 can be used as a guideline when determining character skill levels. especially when it comes to upper body strength tests. In GURPS. but it can be done. Skills can be taught – intelligence and willingness to work as part of a team cannot.
. Although specific guidelines vary from team to team. mostly on hostage negotiation and crisis teams.

Although the assault team should be the last resort in a real-life SWAT operation. the waiting list for most teams is usually dozens (if not hundreds) of times greater than the number of open slots. Each man on a team must know that his fellow officers are reliable. PCs should either take Fit or Very Fit. weapon at the ready. One man cannot defend himself from every direction. and that they will be where they are supposed to be. as they assault a building. their very lives depend on it. p. The actions of a single man can result in the death of an entire team (see also Areas of Responsibilities . but a pair of men. Unruly players seeking personal glory and cinematic heroics should be rewarded with the most likely real-life result of such actions – usually death. when they are supposed to be. and mental acuity often carries more weight in selecting team members than simple skill levels. SWAT teams are made up solely of volunteers. may do so. Intelligence SWAT officers must be able to think on their feet at all times. rarely will a full-time SWAT officer be found with IQ less than 11. so too a GURPS SWAT campaign must emphasize teamwork and camaraderie. 00). SWAT operations hinge on successful teamwork. and lone wolf agents and rogue operatives have no place in a realistic GURPS SWAT campaign.Physical Fitness SWAT officers undergo regular physical training and testing. as per the template on p. or warehouse. airplane. 00. Teamwork The ability to function as part of a team is a one of the primary requirements for acceptance onto a tactical team. Willingness Almost without exception. The template on p.
. however. back-to-back. SWAT officers become closer than family members. it is the core of GURPS SWAT. Just as real-life SWAT is a team game. There is never a shortage of such volunteers. 00 includes IQ 12.
Team Member Duties
The scene is familiar to anyone with a television: black-armored men bursting through doors. and must trust one another implicitly.

This is especially important when an arrest warrant has been issued for a particular individual who may be holed up with several others. Arrest Teams At times. or in some cases – such as in hostage negotiation or emergency services – qualified civilians may be included as well.SPECIAL TEAMS
SWAT entry personnel are often assisted. disarm explosives. interpreters. Such personnel are sometimes referred to as trailers. and is often the most experienced member of the team. is not only to act as an assaulter. His job. Trailers Once SWAT has secured an area. because they trail the SWAT team as they progress through a site. not only by command staff. Teams are often referred to as elements. a single member of the SWAT entry team may be designated as a finder whose job is to locate. Trailers may be called on even during an assault if they’re needed. but also by various special teams. and so forth. Sample trailers include medical personnel. or may be called in after the entire site is secure. female officers. and so forth. and the team commander is sometimes called an element leader. Officers for these teams are may be drawn from within the SWAT cadre itself. The officer assigned to this role may be any member of the team. search rooms. but the actual arrests may be made by follow-up officers.g. identify. follow-up personnel may be called in to arrest suspects. SWAT will neutralize the suspects (e. In either case. must have a commander or leader. The leader of a full-sized entry team is generally a sergeant or lieutenant. animal handlers. from standard patrol officers. however. handcuff and search them). perform first aid.
. Alternately.. it is the SWAT entry team’s responsibility to make certain the area is safe before trailers are requested.
TEAM LEADERS
Every SWAT team. but to make command decisions during an entry. regardless of size. and arrest a particular suspect. SWAT teams may be followed up by a group of officers tasked with arresting suspects. Trailers should never be asked to move through an area that has not been searched and declared safe by the SWAT team.

When moving in a large stack. 00). A small weapon (with a low SS) also allows him to increase the speed with which he can bring his weapon to bear when he enters a room. to keep two-man teams together. and almost never last. through ceiling panels. and therefore will rarely be in the front or back of the team. In this case. While the team is entering. His job is to command as much as it is to assault. or with a fiber optic camera of some kind (p. and can provide the team with a pre-entry look at the layout of the room and any potential threats.
ENTRY AND COVER MEN
Assaulters – a generic term for entry personnel – make up the bulk of a SWAT entry team. or through tiny holes drilled for just that purpose. the scout is usually the first man through the door. he is often one of the last members of the team through.” Entry When working as part of a two-man element.” carrying some form of ballistic shield during entry (see Tactical use of Shields. Each man is
. allowing his partner to enter directly after him and fire over him if necessary. They’re rarely first through the door. the thrower can then ready his weapon as well. The “mirror” is slipped under doors. In these instances. 00). As part of a larger team. around corners. 00). He is usually armed with a one-handed weapon (or a light SMG at best) allowing him to remain armed while mirroring or carrying a shield. Once the grenade is deployed. entering at the end of the stack with his partner.
SCOUTS AND POINT MEN
The point man (or “scout”) usually enters the room as low as possible. and the rest of the team immediately enters. is called “mirroring the room. since entry is accomplished much more quickly when the “key man” opens the door. Doing so. he may double as a “key man” whose task is to open the door to allow the entry team into the room. the “key man” can then ready his weapon and follow them in at the end of the stack. the point man sometimes acts as “shield man. Mirroring Scouts are usually tasked with mirroring rooms using either an actual mirror on an extendable handle (p. p.The team leader must maintain tactical awareness. the scout may open the door while his partner deploys a flash-bang. regardless of the actual mechanism. For more details on room entry and clearing techniques. see Chapter 3.

Players looking to create a sniper character should be warned in advance that although the sniper can be an integral part of any operation. 00). 00) to aid in fast door entry.
BREACHERS
Breaching may be done by the point man. it’s likely his role in the session may be limited to lots of Vision rolls followed by on a single combat die roll or two.” whose job is to provide cover for his partner (or the team) while they are otherwise occupied. Any man can be assigned to act as a “cover man.” His job is to watch the team’s back. in case a threat suddenly presents. walking backward at times to make certain no threats sneak up from that direction. including hallways. 00). p. or use entry personnel in that role after cross-training them. Officers on the inner perimeter (p. and may be armed with a shotgun for that purpose. stairwells.
REAR GUARDS
The last man on an entry team is often called the “rear guard. or the rear guard (below). 00) often double as short-range snipers as well. Rear guards are often stronger than the average entry team member. and are sometimes tasked with carrying extra equipment (such as spare ammo. his partner must provide cover for him at all times. Rear guards are often also assigned to act as breachers. 00). or special equipment). The template on p. or carry and use the team’s ram. and skilled in Architecture to enable them to judge door and doorframe strength (see Breaching. 00 can be used as-is for a basic SWAT entry man.
SNIPERS
SWAT teams may have dedicated snipers. at least one man should be tasked with covering that area for threats.” a breaching team (p. doorways. and other openings. The role of the sniper is often best played by a well fleshed-out NPC. grenades. The most common example occurs when an unarmed team member is mirroring a room. a dedicated “key man. Regardless of who is chosen. door breachers are usually one of the last to enter the room. When entering a room with a balcony. Breachers often carry a shotgun with frangible rounds (p. letting
. Dedicated breachers should be strong enough to use a ram effectively.tasked with covering a particular AoR (p.

Strong Will.
Skills.the players get into the thick of the assault by being members of the entry team instead. Any time. exhaustive. Fearless. or if a disadvantage is disruptive to the game. they will also have Legal Enforcement Powers and at least one Rank in the police department. Required Advantages SWAT officers should almost always be Fit (or Very Fit). Composed. Cool. Acceptable Disadvantages The GM should allow the use of most GURPS disadvantages. The list is not. however. it is up to the GM to decide whether or not any given disadvantage will disrupt game play. Advantages. Required Disadvantages All entry personnel must take Extremely Hazardous Duty. with the exception of those mentioned below as prohibited. in the GM’s opinion. or would simply not be allowed based on his campaign and the team’s makeup.
. Common Sense. Selection to a team almost always requires an exemplary service record. there are some aspects to personality and background that inhibit – or prohibit – an officer’s ability to function on a SWAT team. As with all police officers. but certain traits are more valuable than others. a history of poor conduct will almost always exclude a character from being accepted in SWAT. a particular disadvantage would be prohibited by the team’s superiors. High Pain Threshold. Sense of Duty. he should prohibit it. Desirable Advantages Especially appropriate Advantages for tactical team members include Code of Honor. Likewise. Honesty. and Toughness. and have Combat Reflexes (members may use earned skill points to purchase Combat Reflexes after they are allowed on the team). As always. and Disadvantages
Tactical teams comprise a wide variety of individuals. Prohibited Disadvantages The following list of disadvantages should be prohibited in most GURPS SWAT campaigns.

Berserk. go. p. Demolitions. This skill can be used by an officer to determine the potential threat level of a suspect. Loud Noises). Breachers will use this skill to determine explosive placement and ram use (see Breaching. One Eye.Suggested prohibitions include illegal Addictions. Crippled Leg. however. pre-determined gestures (e. Entry teams use this skill when shouting compliance to force a suspect to surrender during an encounter (see Room Clearing. Full time SWAT teams generally receive more training and field experience. estimate room sizes and types. Cowardice. Body Language. Skills Architecture. Laziness. Guns (Light Auto). Split Personality. the version here takes into account some of the new information found in GURPS SWAT. CI00). Illiteracy. or to predict his next move (see Room Clearing. Bloodlust. 00. Sadism. and p. Anything beyond that requires the use of the Gesture skill (p. B59). It also allows an officer to accurately predict which direction his partner is going to move or fire when first entering a room. a SWAT officer is a SWAT officer. Pyromania.. Intimidation. whether he works at the job full time or doubles as a patrolman. etc).
. Tactics (Counter-Terrorism). Gesture. Climbing. Combat Paralysis. simple sentiments like stop. 00. Teams may communicate silently using simple. look. limiting their starting skill levels in Body Language. which means a part-time officer may have slightly lower skill levels in SWAT-specific skills and higher skills in other aspects of police work. and Throwing to no more than 1 or 2 points in each skill. and p. 00. While the old template can be used.. etc). to determine interior wall locations. B246). GMs may wish to impose some restrictions on part-time SWAT officers.g. B55). Therefore. Megalomania. and most physical disadvantages (e. and p. Intimidation. p. Primitive. certain types of Phobia (e. Epilepsy.g. Stealth. and so forth.. Pacifism. This skill can be used during assault planning. C50.
Templates
The SWAT Officer template found below is a slightly modified version of the template found in GURPS Cops on p. p. Part Time versus Full Time In many ways. Gullibility. Paranoia. Gesture.g.

SO00).
(((START BOX)))
A W ORD ABOUT BUDGETS
The lion’s share of SWAT teams in the US are small.
.5. The GM (and players) should keep this in mind when requisitioning equipment. and encrypted wideband radios (p. It’s far easier to equip a dozen men with basic body armor (p. MP5s (p. and in GURPS Cops (pp. rather than spending large sums of money on one or two pieces of high-tech equipment. Private security teams (p. Only the largest SWAT teams will have access to the best equipment.
Personal Equipment
While many teams give some measure of leeway to individual officers regarding equipment choice. night vision goggles (p. or simply come up with a set of guidelines for a fictional team. GURPS High-Tech. and the GM can either research specific details on a given team. GURPS Covert Ops. C60-75). large teams may have access to cutting edge equipment (see box). 00) may be well-equipped or go begging for gear. 00) than put together a squad of elite warrior packing P90s (p. and the GM must enforce that rule in order to run a realistic SWAT campaign. SO102-127). often making do with less-than-cutting-edge equipment in order to fully arm and equip a team. part-time teams with very limited budgets. CO00). Individual team preferences vary. GMs and players will find plenty of gear in this chapter. and Beretta 92s (p. THE GEAR
A key element in tactical police operations involves the use of special weapons and equipment. most SWAT teams provide a basic set of gear to their members. 00). depending on their employer. 00). GURPS Modern Firepower and GURPS Special Ops (pp. MF00). Smaller teams will work from a smaller budget. Such teams are forced to maximize their budget allowances.

and with no peripheral vision). $270. An IQ or Architecture roll is needed to properly place the hooks.5 lbs). Glass Punch. chain. and available in several colors and sizes.
BREACHING TOOLS
Breaching Hooks. 15 lbs).(((END BOX)))
ARMOR
Ballistic Shields. Almost all are insulated and spark-resistant. DR 12. $1. HT104. 14.4 lbs. or cable) to the bumper of a vehicle. Some teams have mounted glass punches near the muzzle of their assault weapons (see Vehicle Takedowns. Each shield has a clear ballistic window allowing the officer to see ahead of him (at Vision-2. and massive multi-part rolling shields (PD 4. and an angled pry head on the other and comes in various sizes and configurations. DR 40. The wielder simply pushes the tip of the punch against the corner of the window. See p. The two hooks are attached to one another by a four-foot length of cable.000. Shields come in a variety of sizes. see also pp. and SO103. Details on body armor for law enforcement personnel appears on p. A multipurpose entry tool used by almost every SWAT team in the world. with a Reach of 1 and requires a minimum ST of 12. screen doors. The tool is a modified pry-bay with a two-prong fork on one end.
. $70. spring-loaded punch used to shatter a car’s side window. $150. 5. $100. necessitating a second attempt. C73 for game stats. 60 lbs). 500 lbs). C61. 00). A small. Chainsaw. failure results in a partial success. Body Armor. B211. $400. Commonly called a Hallagan tool or hooligan tool. It runs for two hours on a half-gallon of gas. heavy-duty entry shields (PD 2. walls. and so forth. It does 4d cutting per turn. etc. p. Go-Bar. barricades. A pair of large steel hooks (about four feet long) that can be quickly attached to fences. and on a ST-3 roll the window shatters. standard 2¥4’ entry shields (PD 2. DR 90. which is then attached (via a heavy rope. including lightweight riot shields (PD 1. 50 lbs. It only weighs a few ounces (it is about the size of a pen) and costs $5. barred windows. A gas-powered chain saw may be used to cut through doors. DR 4. allowing the bars to be pulled off in seconds.

Also called a “push-through mic” or “spike mic. 1 lb. sensitive microphone that can be applied to the outside of a window (usually in a corner) using special contact tape.” this rigid surveillance mic is 18” long and less than 1/4” in diameter. 12 lbs. through keyholes. two-handed sledge is available for door breaching. Laser Microphone.Rams. it can be swung from the safety of cover (by standing to one side of the door). $400.
COMMUNICATIONS AND SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT
Contact Microphone.000 yards. Can be slipped under doors. Many are home made. or through a crack in a wall. It has a 1/16” steel tip so it can be shoved through light walls and remains nearly invisible from inside the room (Vision-8 to spot). A portable telephone specially designed to be used in crisis negotiation. It does Swing+(1d+2) damage.000. Small. Cost ranges from $25 to $150. The ram can be used by one or two people. heavy cylinders with one or two handles welded on. assault teams may use a number of entry tools. C73 and CO00. Range 1. $700. Probe Microphone. two-handed hammer used to smash hinges. weighs 30 lbs. and even door frames. These specially designed rams are little more than large. especially where telephone lines are not readily available (e. Similar to a probe mic (p. 00). During a dynamic entry (p. 00).000-foot cable connects the phone to a small electronic box that can in turn connect to speakers.
. Crisis Phone. $1. A massive. locks. Tube Microphone. including the ubiquitous ram (above). $1. Sledgehammers . Entire cost is $5. recording devices. and comes in a clearly-labeled flexible case or in a solid box with a clear window so the phone is readily visible. Detects vibrations off windows with a successful Electronics Operation (Sensors) skill roll. But every team has a variety of sledges available. Negligible weight. 1 lb. The phone and case weighs 5 lbs.000. ranging from small two-pound malls to a large. telephone lines. in a vehicle or an isolated outbuilding). They do Swing+2 crushing damage (or Swing+3 for two-handed mauls) and weigh from 2-20 lbs. but requires an existing opening for use. Can be shoved through light (sheet-rock) interior walls with a successful ST roll. the spool of cable 20 lbs. and costs $350. A 1. Sledge Ram.g.200. The phone is sturdier than a normal phone. etc. headphones. a drill is required to penetrate wood or stone. Details are available on p.. depending on its size.

” complete with fiber viewing wand. p. A heavy bomb suppression blanket that can be draped over suspected explosive devices as a stopgap measure until they can be properly dealt with by an EOD team. 00). A typical “SWAT Camera. C69 or Special Ops. 1 lb. Most entry personnel wear a radio earpiece in one ear and use an earplug in the other. Vision rolls through fiber optics are made at -2. The blanket is flexible but stiff. but adds +3 to resist the effects of flash-bangs and other loud noises. p. HT93. and costs $450. At 3¥4. Special Ops (p. recorders. DR counts double). or wrapped around a hostage during evacuation. SO118. The . other teams use fiber optics (p. Mirrors. Flash-bang Grenade. SO110) has stats for night vision goggles. 4¥6 foot version weighs 45 lbs. but as technology increases.45 caliber pellets do little actual damage (1d-3. but they
. often flexible handle. Most civilian SWAT teams do not use night vision goggles. the use of an earplug gives a -1 to all Hearing rolls. Pellet Grenades.32-. Gas Masks. In the past. p. Special non-lethal grenades are available that discharges 100+ small rubber pellets throughout the blast radius (15 yards) to incapacitate suspects. transmitters and more. p.000. and usually lined with grommets. GURPS High-Tech. explosions. as a tactical mirror is cheap and readily available. covers gas masks and their use. In game terms.ENTRY TEAM GEAR
Earplugs. Provides DR 25. Earplugs cut down on the noise of weapons fire. Teams occasionally deploy with gas masks (or protective masks. It can also be thrown over doors or windows. and display console weighs 2 lbs. Both sizes are commercially available for around $1.
GRENADES AND EXPLOSIVES
Ballistic Blanket. See GURPS Cops. Slim fiber optic cable can be attached to cameras. the blanket weighs 30 lbs. every entry team carried a small mirror on an extendible. view screens. flash-bangs. and so forth. this may change. Many teams continue this practice today. for looking around corners and into rooms before entry. A variety of fiber optic devices have begun to replace mirrors during entry and assault. SO105). especially when using tear gas or entering a potentially hazardous building where dangerous gases may be present (like a meth lab). The process of checking a room is generally called “mirroring” regardless of what type of “mirror” is used (see p. Negligible weight. Fiber Optics. 00) instead. Night Vision Goggles . fisheye lens. $2. $20.

The explosion does 6d damage to the door. a
. bruises. flash-bang grenades (pp. SO118) may also start fires when they explode.. Any time a flash-bang is deployed within 1 yard of flammable material (e. curtains). Especially flammable material (e. fragments may fly outward. but some may need fire suppression. and causes swelling). it will ignite a small fire on a second die roll of 15+.
(((END BOX)))
Breaching Charges . they are capable of doing 1d damage to anyone or anything in close proximity (1 yard). Door breaching charges may be designed in advance to speed deployment.g.g. or Demolitions roll. and are notorious fire-starters. Tear Gas Grenade. especially if given time to spread. IQ. Though the damage from the explosion is limited. curtains. bedspreads) will ignite on a 14+. C69-70. Tear gas grenades (pp. but leaves welts. carpeting. SO118. C69-70 or Special Ops. Both types can be mounted with a successful Architecture. for 1d-2 damage to anyone within 3 yards. loose papers. but only on a subsequent roll of 17 or 18. SO118) are Class III explosives and must be handled carefully. B00).hurt (impact is not only painful. High Pain Threshold negates the shock effects as normal. p. or they may be enclosed in a large 3¥5 foot enclosed frame (about four inches thick) with pre-mounted adhesive that allows it to be slapped against a door in seconds and detonated seconds later. Any damage taken from such an attack is tripled for purposes of shock damage (p. p. Most such fires will burn themselves out or simply smolder (such as in carpeting). C69. They may consist of det cord (below) mounted on a frame that can quickly be attached to a door.
(((START BOX)))
T HE DANGERS OF A FLASH-BANG
Despite their almost casual use. See GURPS Cops. upholstery..

Components are packed separately for safety and must be assembled in the field. This fast burning 1/4” diameter explosive cord burns almost instantly (some 4. USA.
PISTOLS
Smith & Wesson Model 60 Chief's Special Stainless. but with a limited (3-yard) radius. the table on p. demolition explosive slurry. a single Demolitions roll covers application of both the cord and cap.
Firearms
SWAT teams use a variety of weapons. or DEXS) come prepackaged in tubes or syringes designed to apply a 3/8” bead or string of explosives to critical points (e. Thunderstrip ). locks. Tactical Blast Strip.. A thin strip designed to be slipped under a door and detonated as a distraction device. this stun munition is about a foot long and four inches wide. but only about 1/10” thick.g. SO111) or det cord (below).38 Special). and costs $350. 00 is more comprehensive. 1 lb.e.g. The information that follows provides a detailed look at some of the more common SWAT weapons in use today. Caulk explosives (i. Use standard flashbang rules (p. Caulk Explosive. C69). 1965 (Holdout +1): While this double-action pocket revolver is mainly intended for
. A 30’ length weighs about a pound and costs $50. and does 1d damage to each location. many of which already appear in other GURPS books. It can be wrapped around objects (doing double damage). or attached to doors and frames to aid entry. Known under various brand names (e. allowing it to slip easily under most doors. and a HT-2 roll instead. It is detonated using a blasting cap (p.. but can be deployed without opening the door. A caulk kit containing enough explosive for a single door (five applications) weighs a pound and costs $125. minimum one minute). $200. deadbolts). prior to use (requires a successful Demolitions roll and 5-Success minutes. A typical door-breaching charge weighs 20 lbs.. and includes game stats for weapons found in other books. The explosive is detonated using blasting caps (p. Detonating Cord (Det Cord). hinges. 9¥29mmR (.000 feet per second) and does 1d-2 damage per foot. The explosion is less powerful than a normal flash-bang. SO111).Demolitions roll is required to attach detonators and actually use the charge.

Shots 10+1. USA. p. MF12) under the barrel. This model adopted by the FBI is based
. 1997 (Holdout +1): A popular backup weapon of high-quality. The very small Glock 26 in 9¥19mm (Dam 2d+1. one mounts a Sure-Fire tactical light (p. MF20). Shots 17+1. Other departments prefer the Glock 17 in 9¥19mm (Dam 2d+2. the Model 5946 can also fire single-action.40 S&W). low weight. 10¥21mm (. and safe handling. 2002 (Holdout -1): This is a customized version of the Colt Government (pp. 18. the stainless steel double-action only Model 5906 caters to those departments requiring a medium-priced high-capacity 9¥19mm gun. HT109) or Glock 21 in . with every officer receiving two. C63. and 4046 (1990) are similar. Shots 9+1. 1937 (Holdout -6): This venerable pump-action shotgun is still used by many agencies. The Models 4006. Germany. 4026. Glock 22.detectives and supervisors. The otherwise identical Model 5926 has a decocking lever. Holdout +1) are popular backup weapons (p.45 ACP (Dam 2d+. The Glock 22 is.40 S&W round. Its small size makes it an excellent secondary or tertiary weapon. Smith & Wesson Model 5906. but chambered for the . USA. but its small caliber makes it less effective than other SWAT weapons. 1989 (Holdout -1): A member of the third-generation S&W pistols. Wt 1. SGT Tactical Response Model 90102. Austria. in common use by many SWAT teams. due to low cost.5¥76mmR (12-gauge). HT108). Shots 13+1). Late production “tactical” samples (from 2000) have an integral underbarrel rail for lights and targeting lasers. Wt 1. 1991 (Holdout -1): The Glock is the single most popular handgun in American law enforcement today. 1991 (Holdout -6): Scattergun Technologies produce a range of customized shotguns by modifying off-the-shelf Remington weapons.7.40 S&W (Dam 2d-1+. Kimber Custom II.6. Holdout +1) and Glock 27 in . it is popular with SWAT officers as a backup gun. 9¥17mm (. It has a “snubnose” 2-inch barrel. It was adopted by the LAPD SWAT in 2002. 18. 9¥19mm Parabellum. Late production samples (from 1999) have an integral underbarrel rail for lights and targeting lasers. therefore. 11. USA. Shots 11+1.
SHOTGUNS
Ithaca Model 37.43¥23mm (. Dam 2d+.45 ACP).380 ACP). USA.5¥76mmR (12-gauge). SIG-Sauer P232.

C64. HT112). the ATF uses the MP5A5 with a trigger offering only single shots and 2-round limited bursts. instead featuring three accessory rails to mount a scope or collimating sight.2. Holdout -5).8. Germany. 1985 (Holdout -4): The MP5series of submachine guns (pp. 1. Austria. 1985 (Holdout -4): A very short carbine with retractable stock. it combines a bullpup configuration with a top-mounted magazine and superior ergonomics. RoF 3~). 5. 7. H&K HK33SG1. HT116).7¥28mm. SO114).
. British weapons are usually semiautomatic only. the MP5A4N is the same weapon with a fixed stock (Wt 7.75” shells and the longer 3” Magnum loads (Dam 4d+2). Other common versions of the more than 120 configurations available include the MP5A3 (1971.56¥45mm NATO. 2round limited bursts. popular with some SWAT and military units (p. Extremely compact and handy. same stats) and the semiautomatic MP5SFA3 (1989. 9¥19mm Parabellum.5-6¥ variable scope and cheekrest. Belgium. FN P90TR. 1971 (Holdout -6): An accurized marksman’s rifle. and SO117) is the single most common weapon in use with SWAT teams worldwide. Germany.56¥45mm NATO.25. The P90TR lacks the integral collimating sight of the standard version. and full automatic.on the Model 870 pump-action shotgun (pp. tactical light. with bipod.
RIFLES
Steyr-Mannlicher SSG 69. 5. 1969 (Holdout -7): A boltaction sniper rifle with a detachable 5-round magazine and 6¥ scope. dividing DR by 1. The MP5/10A3 (1991) in 10¥25mm Auto is rather scarce. It is in use with a growing number of American and foreign SWAT teams. The MP5A5N with retractable stock originally developed for the Navy SEALs is popular with American SWAT teams. It has a tactical light under the muzzle and a spare rounds holder on the left side of the receiver for six shells. but standard issue for the FBI SWAT teams (Dam 3d+. 1999 (Holdout -4): This is the latest version of the innovative P90 personal defense weapon (p. It fires a semi-armor-piercing round with superior penetration. Rcl -2).
SUBMACHINE GUNS
H&K MP5A5N. H&K HK53A5N. and targeting laser of the user's choice. The ATF uses the HK53A5 with a trigger offering only single shots and 2round limited bursts.62¥51mm NATO. and fires both normal 2. Germany. C64. ST 11. Wt 7. It allows single shots. 5. MF29. HT116.

uses lots of gas. however. breaching hooks. or cargo space in back can squeeze in up to seven cramped passengers. The rear seat can be removed. burns 7 gallons per hour) that powers the 170-kW wheeled AWD drivetrain (DR5. 4 off-road wheels. Armor: PD3. but individual officers deploy in patrol cars.
. a middle bench seat capable of holding three people and a rear seat capable of holding more. and GMs looking for a commonly used chopper good for “skid surfing” can use the MD500 (see GURPS Vehicles Lite. PD4. Helicopters can be used for deployment. and the like. and toward a faster. It has two roomy bucket seats in the front with a large console between them. HP 1). and the like). ranging from police cruisers to the workhorse “SWAT Van. DR75 open-frame “Bumper and Brush Guard” for BoF. and other common gear (e. HP50. DR15 “Skid Plate” for BoU. Fire 11).” The trend across the US. more readily available deployment vehicle such as the Chevrolet Suburban (below). and is capable of crossing most off-road terrain at a good clip. An extra bench seat can be installed for 3 more passengers. 40-gallon standard fuel tank (DR3. p. Subassemblies: Body +4. unmarked cars. A patrol cruiser appears on p. HP 24) and recharges battery. Equipment trucks may be used to haul gear to incident sites. C75. far more often than in an actual SWAT van. a PD4.. Equipment can be stored in lockboxes in the back and mounted on racks along the sides. and a PD4. EMT units. Two 2. Powertrain: 175-kW standard gasoline engine (DR5.g. DR5 standard metal.Vehicles
SWAT teams use many different deployment vehicles. and utility companies. Occupancy: 1 RCS. giving the total rear deck a 150cf cargo capacity. 3CPS. HP20. first aid supplies. VL61). which is perfect for carrying a pair of stretchers and two paramedics. A typical load will include enough personal gear for a four or five-man team (including body armor and assault weapons). It is large. a ram. tactical radios. firefighters. is away from large clumsy trucks and vans.
CHEVROLET SUBURBAN K 2500
This is a 5-7 seat SUV of the type used by various government agencies.000 kWs battery (DR5. DR15 open-frame “Roof Rack” for BoT for the 175sf top deck (ladder to top deck on rear of truck). 1RPS.

drop-down tailgate with electric sliding glass. HPs 200 Body.8 tons Volume: 480 cf Maint.000 lbs. headlights. Eight 1/4 searchlights (2 kW. snow tires. power windows. One or two full-size spare tires can be carried (one on the front bumper. Many are fitted with an emergency services light bar (p. GPS. using a diesel engine to reduce fire risk and axles from the 5-ton M54-series truck to replace the V-100s’ 2 1/2-ton truck axles that proved prone to breakage from engine torque.5 ft obstacle. 2 tow pins in front. Decades later.: 15’¥7’¥7’ Payload: 1 ton LWt. radius at 100 yards) on “Brush Guard”.: 4.: 100 hours Cost: $51. having been lightly refurbished and given updated electronics systems (such as a GPS and police radio). medium-range (30-mile) CB Radio. 47 each Wheel. seat belts. many of these vehicles were given to law enforcement agencies through the Military Assistance to Law Enforcement Program. wheels 125. Design Notes Surface areas are body 400. cheap materials. Statistics Dim. The vehicle has four doors. $50.
CADILLAC-GAGE V-150
The Cadillac-Gage V-100 wheeled APC was adopted by the military in 1963 as the XM706 for convoy escort in Vietnam. a removable sunroof between front seats. Winch (ST25) on open-mount on front bumper (can pull 5. electric locks. The vehicle described below represents a typical SWAT police vehicle. one on a swinging rear bumper mount). gSpeed: 105 gAccel: 5 gDecel 15 gMR: 0. Can climb a 2. Sound System. 0
. burglar alarm.75 gSR: 5 Off-road speed 34 mph. VEL27. The V-150 corrected the main defects of the last of the V-100s (on which it was based). waterproof. Cellphone.+). top deck for 175sf storage. medium-range (30-mile) two-way radio.Equipment Body: Medium-range (30-mile) receive-only stereo.894 HT 12. set for a combined 4yd. Also includes Improved Suspension and Brakes. tow hitch in rear. front and rear airconditioning. Surface is light. automatic transmission. and was later used for air base defense.

Characters use Driving (Heavy Wheeled) or Driving (Automobile)-2. military pin.29 gallons of fuel per hour. a full load of fuel costs $96. which has 60 deg. Occupancy: 2 NCS. The lower part of the two-part side doors folds down to form a step. Statistics Dim: 19'¥7'¥7' Payload: 1. but may be called out for special missions. tow).5 gSR: 4 Off-road speed 16 mph Design Notes Body is 600cf with 30-degree slope on all surfaces except Top Front. which has PD6/DR60 due to sloping.pounds. $100. 80-gallon diesel fuel tank (Fire 9). HPs: 1500 Body. 3cf carried externally). a hatch in the rear. The V-150 uses 5. 60 pounds. medium-range (30-mile) two-way radio. 151kW Standard Diesel.320kWs batteries. 9 PS Body Armor: All PD5/DR45 except Top Front of Body. Note that visibility is poor (-2) from driver and co-driver stations. neg. armor is Standard metal. The vehicle has no NBC capability. Powertrain: 151kW all-wheel-drive. four off-road wheels. gSpeed: 63 gAccel: 3 gDecel: 10 gMR: 0.120 HT12.
.73 tons Volume: 600cf Maint. two 4. VEL39). This example is fitted with large top doors. VEL27. SWAT teams like the vehicle for its ballistic protection. All of the passenger seats fold upward under spring tension when unoccupied. Wheels are 120cf. 225 each Wheel. and negligible acquisition cost. Wheels have PD2/DR3. GPS. power) and some have an emergency ladder for rescues under fire (p.000-lb. hatches are included above the driver and co-driver.79 tons Lwt. run-flat tires (p. fast entry/exit.: 9. winch (24. Structure is Heavy and Waterproof. It is typically not used as a general deployment vehicle. Equipment Body: Bilge pump. two-part doors on each side and the rear.: 66 hours Cost: $91. CO00). Subassemblies: Body +4. The driver uses a conventional steering wheel and five-speed manual transmission (-3 unfamiliarity penalty. military hitch.

875 pounds. VEL63.
. Note that this vehicle is superior in many respects to the LAV-25 on p.Mechanical controls. There are 67cf free in the Body because this variant has no turret. Dry weight is 15.355 pounds. but has slightly less armor and no weapons or turret fitted. wet weight is 16.

but by closely following the GURPS combat rules and refusing to fudge dice rolls just to let the players win. highcombat adventures. In a realistic campaign. it can easily degenerate into a routine of “ram the door. characters will make mistakes. and GMs are encouraged to maintain a believable level of realism.6.38 can bring a bad end to a good cop. PCs in a realistic campaign should be 100 to 125-point characters. takedown the bad guys.
SWAT Campaigns
Running a successful SWAT campaign means more than simply stringing together a series of hostage incidents and barricaded suspects. even if they have run highly cinematic adventures in the past. people will be wounded and killed. but even a prostitute with a stolen . While such a campaign may hold the attention of gamers for a period of time. breathing campaign that includes sessions of character-based roleplay interspersed with exciting SWAT operations. and always fraught with danger. but GURPS SWAT can easily be adapted to many styles and genres. GMs are encouraged to use the suggestions found in GURPS Cops to create a living. ADVENTURES AND CAMPAIGNS
SWAT operations are tailor-made for roleplayers looking for fast-paced. The entry team may use the latest technology and have the best training. Gritty Realism Real-life SWAT operations are a far cry from most cinematic portrayals. They are often confusing and difficult. operations will go bad. flash-bang the room. GURPS SWAT has been written with realistic campaigning in mind. GMs should not force such occurrences.” Instead. the PCs will often find themselves in deep trouble.
.

and one or two SWAT call-outs based on the ongoing adventure threat. The GM may also wish to give the players an edge by using the cinematic rules found on pp.
CROSSOVER CAMPAIGNS
Specially trained law enforcers can show up in almost any genre. A linked set of adventures should include some basic police duties. Alternately. weapon availability. or SWAT officers stumbling into a conspiracy. and even GURPS Technomancer (see Special Weapons and Thamaturgy info on pp. Cops GMs are strongly encouraged to use GURPS SWAT in conjunction with GURPS Cops to create a believable. Such a campaign provides both players and GM with more variety than a straight SWAT campaign. characters should be built on higher point levels (150-200 is suggested). 00-00. Most real-life SWAT officers are patrol officers during most of their shift. and get called in for SWAT incidents on an occasional basis. The flesh wound rule on p. Covert Ops Much of the equipment in Covert Ops can be used as-is for a well-equipped SWAT team. C128 is an excellent start for laying out campaign guidelines. The Cops Campaign Plan on p. and so forth (see the sample teams on pp. Black Ops The PCs in this kind of crossover may be elite operatives that must face-off against a mundane SWAT team. some of the SWAT rules – especially those in Chapter 3 – can be modified and applied to a “normal” Black Ops campaign. opportunities for investigation. GURPS Fantasy (elite guardsmen assigned to eliminate bandit hideouts or monster lairs). procedures. Certain genres are especially suited for a modern-day (or near-future) SWAT crossover campaign. including GURPS Cliffhangers (think Elliot Ness and his Untouchables). the GM should also include information on the SWAT team organization.Cinematic Heroism To recreate the Hollywood’s bigger-than-life SWAT heroes. while the more esoteric gear can lend an edge of high technology and espionage
. ongoing law enforcement campaign. training schedules. T82 and T83). guidelines. 00 is especially appropriate for keeping the PCs alive when the bullets start flying. 00-00 for some examples of basic team outlines).